Arrow feeding device for crossbow

ABSTRACT

An arrow feeding device for a crossbow includes a magazine mounted to the flight groove of the crossbow. A storage space is formed through the magazine so as to accommodate multiple arrows therein. A retainer is located in the storage space, and resiliently normally presses the arrows in the storage space so that the users shoots the arrows one by one. The retainer is a resilient and an elongate part, an elongate plate cooperated with a spring, or a block cooperated with multiple springs. The retainer can be pulled or pivoted upward to allow the arrows to be fed into the storage space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fields of the invention

The present invention relates to a crossbow, and more particularly, to an arrow feeding device for a crossbow to feed the arrows one by one without repeatedly loading the arrows to the crossbow.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

The conventional way to use the crossbow is to load an arrow into the flight groove on the barrel of the crossbow, and then. cocking the arrow to pull the string. When pulling the trigger, the arrow is shot by the recovery force of the string. Then the user has to lower the crossbow and picks another arrow to load the arrow onto the crossbow as the steps mentioned previously. However, these repeated steps break the temple of the shooters and the crossbow has to be removed from the shooting position for reloading another arrow.

The present invention intends to provide three embodiments for an arrow feeding device for a crossbow to feed the arrows one by one without repeatedly loading the arrows to the crossbow. The present invention effectively eliminate shortcomings mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arrow feeding device for a crossbow, and comprises a magazine mounted to a flight groove in the top of the crossbow. A storage space is defined through the magazine from the top of the magazine to the open bottom of the magazine. Multiple arrows are loaded in the storage space. A retainer includes a first end pivotably connected to the magazine and located in the storage space, and the second end of the retainer normally presses the arrows in the storage space. The arrows in the storage space are fed into the barrel of the crossbow in sequence.

The present invention also provide another embodiment of the arrow feeding device tor a crossbow, and comprises a magazine mounted to the flight groove in the top of the crossbow. A storage space is defined through the magazine from the top of the magazine to the open bottom of the magazine. Multiple arrows are loaded in the storage space. A retainer is located in the storage space and resiliently and normally presses the arrows in the storage space. The arrows in the storage space are fed into the barrel of the crossbow in sequence.

The present invention provides yet another embodiment of the arrow feeding device for a crossbow, and comprises a magazine mounted to the flight groove in the top of the crossbow. A storage space is defined through the magazine from the top of the magazine to the open bottom of the magazine. Multiple arrows are loaded in the storage space. The storage space includes a chamber. A retainer is located in the chamber of the storage space, and resiliently and normally presses the arrows in the storage space. Multiple springs each have the first end connected to the retainer, and the second end thereof connected to the inner bottom of the storage space. The arrows are fed into the storage space when pulling the retainer to extend the multiple springs. When the retainer is released, the retainer resiliently presses the arrows in the storage space.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the arrow feeding device the present invention installed to a crossbow;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view to show the arrow feeding device of the present invention installed to a crossbow;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view, taken along line V-V in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows the arrow feeding device of the present invention and the crossbow to which the arrow feeding device of the present invention is installed to;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the trigger assembly of the crossbow;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view, taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8A shows the first arrow is to be loaded into the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 8B shows the arrows are loaded into the arrow feeding device of the present invention in sequence;

FIGS. 9 to 14 show the statuses that the string of the crossbow begins to be pulled toward the trigger assembly until the trigger is pulled to shoot the arrow by the string;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view to show the second embodiment the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the arrow feeding device of the present invention shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows that the arrow feeding device of the present invention is installed to the crossbow;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view, taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows that the retainer is pivoted upward and the arrows are loaded into the storage space;

FIG. 20 shows that the retainer in FIG. 19 presses the arrows in the storage space;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view to show the third embodiment of the arrow feeding device of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the arrow feeding device of the present invention shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view, taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 perspective view to show the arrow feeding device of the present invention in FIG. 21 installed to a crossbow;

FIG. 24A is a cross sectional view, taken along line XXIVA-XXIVA in FIG. 24;

FIG. 25 shows that the retainer is pulled upward and the arrows are loaded into the storage space, and

FIG. 26 shows that the retainer in FIG. 22 presses the arrows in the storage space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8B, the arrow feeding device for a crossbow 10 of the present in comprises a magazine 1 which is an elongate magazine and mounted to the top of the crossbow 10 where the flight groove 101 is located. A storage space 11 is defined through the magazine 1 from the top of the magazine 1 to the open bottom of the magazine 1 so that multiple arrows 20 are loaded in the storage space 11 in sequence. A retainer 2 is located in the storage space 11 and is an elongate plate which has the first end thereof pivotably connected to the magazine 1 and, the second end of the retainer 2 normally presses the arrows 20 in the storage space 11. The retainer 2 includes a press end 21 extending at an angle from the second end of the retainer 2. When loading the arrows 20 into the storage space 11, the arrow 20 is resiliently pressed by the press end 21, and the press end 21 keeps the retainer 2 to be resiliently bent upward at the second end of the retainer 2. The arrows 20 are fed into the barrel of the crossbow 1 one by one by the retainer 2 so that the, user is able to shoot the arrows 20 one by one.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, 8A, the user picks one arrow 20 and inclinedly inserted into the storage space 11 by the rear end of the arrow 20. The rear end of the arrow 20 pushes the press end 21 of the retainer 2 upward slightly. And then the arrow 20 is fully loaded into the storage space 11. The second arrow 20 is loaded in the same way so that the arrows 20 are fed into a barrel of the crossbow 10 in sequence. Specifically, the retainer 2 includes the press end 21, a fixed end 22 and a body 23 wherein the body 23 is formed between the press end 21 and the fixed end 22. A bolt 3 extends through the fixed end 22 so as to fix the fixed end 27 to the inside of the storage space 11. The retainer 2 is made of metal of flexibility such as copper alloy or memory alloy.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each arrow 20 includes a head 201, a tail 202 and a shank 203 which is formed between the head 201 and the tail 202. Correspondingly, the storage space 31 of the magazine is shaped to accommodate the arrows 20 and includes a first section 11A, a second section 11B and a third section 11C. The second section 11B is located between the first section 11A and the third section 11C. The first, second and third sections 11A, 11B, 11C communicate with each other. An opening of the second section 11B is formed on the top of the magazine 1 and is narrower than that of each of the first and third section 11A, 11C. The head 201 of the arrow 20 is located in the first section 11A. The tail 202 of the arrow 20 is located in the third section 11C. The shank 203 of the arrow 20 is located in the second section 11B. The shank 203 of the arrow 20 contacts two sidewalk of the second section 1B, such that of all the arrows 20 in the storage space 1 are positioned as expected and do not tilt.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the crossbow 10 includes the barrel 102, a bow assembly 103 and a trigger assembly 13. The barrel 102 includes a front end 102A and a rear end 102B. The flight groove 101 is defined in the top of the front end 102A of the barrel 102. The magazine 1 is mounted to the barrel 102 and located above the flight groove 101. A slot 105 is formed between the magazine 1 and the barrel 102. The bow assembly 103 includes a bow 103A and a string 103B which is connected between two ends of the bow 103A. The bow 103A is fixed to the barrel 102, and the string 103B extends through the slot 105, so that the string 103B can be pulled within the slot 105. The trigger assembly 104 is connected to the barrel 102 and located close to the rear end 102B of the barrel 102. The trigger assembly 104 includes, a case 104A, a press member 104B, a passive member 104C, a trigger 104D, a stop 104E, a torsion spring 104F and a first spring 104F. The case 104A includes a room 106. A first opening 107 and a second opening 108 are formed to the case 104A and communicate with the room 106. A block 109 extends from inside of the room 106. A portion of the case 104A protrudes from the barrel 102. The magazine 1 includes a chamber 12 which does not communicate with the storage space 11. The portion of the case 104A protruding from the barrel 102 is accommodated in the chamber 12 of the magazine 1 so as to prevent foreign objects from entering to affect the operation of the press member 104B and the passive member 104C.

The press member 104B is an inverted L-shaped member which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from one end of the first portion. The first portion of the press member 104B is located between the block 109 and the inside of the room 106. The press member 104B includes a first notch 110 and a second notch 110A respectively facing the block 109. The block 109 includes a ball 111 which is biased by a first spring 112 which is located in the block 109. The ball 111 is selectively engaged with the first notch 110A or the second notch 110B.

The trigger 104D has the first end thereof pivotably connected in the room 106, and the second end of the trigger 14 extends beyond the second opening 108 of the case 104A. The passive member 104C is pivotably located in the room 106, and located between the press member 109 and trigger 104D. The passive member 104C is located on the trigger 104D and contacts the press member 104B. The passive member 104C contacts the distal end of the second portion of the press member 104B. A second spring 104G is biased between the passive member 104C and the block 109. The stop 104 is pivotably connected to the case 104A by a first pin 113 and is located in the room 106. The first end of the stop 104E normally contacts the passive member 104C, and the second end of the stop 104E extends beyond the first opening 112. It is noted that the stop 104 includes a U-shaped opening which accommodates the torsion spring 104F and is used to avoid from touching the lowest arrow 20 to be lowered. A second pin 114 is located in the room 1106 and beside the first pin 113. The torsion spring 104F includes two ends which are respectively mounted to the first and second pins 113, 114. The torsion spring 104F provides a force to return the stop 104E to its initial position after the stop 104E is pivoted. The press member 104B includes two rods 115 respectively extending from two sides thereof. The two rods 115 extend beyond the case 104A and are movably located in the slot 105. When the two rods 115 are shifted to move the press member 104B, the ball 111 is moved to be engaged with one of the first and second notches 110, 110A.

When in use, the retainer 2, is pivoted upward from the storage space 11, and loading arrows 20 into the storage space 11. The retainer 2 is released to press the arrows 20. The string 103B is located close to the front end 102A and stops the arrow 20 to be lowered toward the barrel 102. The string 103B is then pulled in the slot 105 and toward the rear end 102B of the barrel 102. The string 103B then touches and pivots the stop 104E. After the string 103B moves over the stop 104E, the stop 104E returns to its initial position by the recovery force of the torsion spring 104F. The string 103B is restricted from shooting by the stop 104E. The lowest arrow 20 in the storage space 11 enters into the flight groove 101 of the barrel 102 because of the string 103B does not restricts the arrow 20 to be lowered. It is noted that the string 103B is restricted from shooting by the stop 104E because the hall 111 is engaged with the first notch 110, and the press member 104B and the passive member 104C contact and restrict each other. Therefore, the passive member 104C cannot pivot, and the passive member 104C restricts the stop 104E to pivot, so as to restrict the string 103B from shooting.

After the arrow 20 is located in the flight groove 101 of the barrel 102, the user push the rods 115 to move the press member 104B toward the front end 102A of the barrel 102 to remove the ball 111 from the first notch 110, and the ball 111 is shifted to be engaged with the second notch 110A.

Therefore, the press member 104B is released, and the passive member 104C is pivotable. The user then aim the target and pulls the trigger 104D which pivots the passive member 104C. The pivotal movement of the passive member 104C releases the stop 104E so that the string 103B pivots the stop 104E. The string 103B then shoots the arrow 20. By repeating the steps mentioned above, the lowest arrow 20 enters into the flight groove 101 so that the user is able to shoot continuously.

The case 104A includes a first part 116 and a second part 117 which is mounted to the first part 116 to from the room 106. The first part 116 and the second part 117 each have an elongate hole 118, and the two rods 115 extend through the elongate holes 118 and are moveable in the slot 105 so that the users can conveniently operate the rods 115 as shown in FIG. 7. The movement of the rods 115 controls the movement of the press member 104B and shifts the ball 111 to be engaged with one of the first and second notches 110, 110A.

The present invention also provides the second embodiment and the third embodiment of the retainers 4, 6, and the main difference of the second embodiment and the third embodiment of the retainers 4, 6 from the first embodiment of the retainer 2 is the way to load the arrows 20. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 20 which show the second embodiment of the retainer 4. The second embodiment of the retainer 4 is located in the storage space 11 and resiliently and normally presses the arrows 20. The retainer 4 includes a plate 41 and a spring 42. The plate 41 has the first end thereof pivotably connected to the inside of the storage space 11, and a pin 5 removably extends through the magazine 1 and extends through the second end of the plate 41. The spring 42 is connected to the underside of the plate 41 and presses the arrows 20 in the storage space 11. Specifically, the spring 42 is a wave-shaped spring or a Z-shaped spring, and has flexibility. Therefore, the plate 41 is able to be pivoted upward as shown in FIG. 19 and extends the spring 42. The plate 41 is pulled beyond the storage space 11, and the arrows 20 are loaded into the storage space 11. The plate 41 is then released to cover the storage space 11. The plate 41 is positioned by using the pin 5, The spring 42 presses the loaded arrows 20.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 26 which shows the third embodiment of the retainer 6. In this embodiment, a chamber 13 formed along the two sides of the second section 11B of the storage space 11. The retainer 6 is located in the chamber 13 of the storage space 11, and resiliently and normally presses the arrows 20 in the storage space 11. The retainer 6 includes a top board 61 and a protrusion 62 extending from the underside of the top board 61. That is to say, the retainer 6 is a T-shaped retainer. Two recessed areas 63 are formed between the underside of the top board 61 and the protrusion 62. Multiple springs 7 are respectively located in the two recessed areas 63. Each spring 7 have the first end thereof connected to underside of the retainer 6, and the second end of each spring 7 is connected to the inner bottom of the storage space 11. When loading the arrows 20, the retainer 6 is pulled upward to extend the multiple springs 7, and the retainer 6 is lifted beyond the storage space 11, the arrows 20 are able to be loaded into the storage space 11. When the retainer 6 is released, the retainer 6 returns into the storage space 11 and resiliently presses the arrows 20 in the storage space 11.

9. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the retainer 6 includes a top board 61 and a protrusion 62 extending from an underside of the top board 61, two recessed areas 63 are formed between the underside of the top board 61 and the protrusion 62, the springs 7 are respectively located in the two recessed areas 63, each spring 7 is connected between the underside of the top board 61 and an inner bottom of the storage space 11.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An arrow feeding device for a crossbow, comprising: a magazine mounted to a flight groove in a top of the crossbow, a storage space defined through the magazine from a top of the magazine to an open bottom of the magazine, multiple arrows loaded in the storage space, and a retainer having, a first end connected to the magazine and located in the storage space, a second end of the retainer normally pressing the arrows in the storage space, wherein the arrows in the storage space are fed into a barrel of the crossbow in sequence.
 2. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer includes a press end extending at an angle from the second end of the retainer, the press end presses the arrows into the storage space one by one.
 3. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer includes a press end, a fixed end and a body, the body is formed between the press end and the fixed end, a bolt extends through the fixed end so as to fix the fixed end to an inside of the storage space.
 4. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer is made of metal of flexibility.
 5. An arrow feeding device for a crossbow, comprising: a magazine mounted to a flight groove in a top of the crossbow, a storage space defined through the magazine from a top of the magazine to an open bottom of the magazine, multiple arrows loaded in the storage space, and a retainer located in the storage space and resiliently and normally pressing the arrows in the storage space, wherein the arrows in the storage space are fed into a barrel of the crossbow in sequence.
 6. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the retainer includes plate and a spring, the plate has a first end thereof is pivotably connected to an inside of the storage space, a pin removably extends through the magazine and extends through a second end of the plate, the spring is connected to an underside of the plate and presses the arrows in the storage space.
 7. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spring is a wave-shaped spring or a Z-shaped spring, and has flexibility.
 8. An arrow feeding device for a crossbow, comprising: a magazine mounted to a flight groove in a top of the crossbow, a storage space defined through the magazine from a top of the magazine to an open bottom of the magazine, multiple arrows loaded in the storage space, a chamber formed along two insides of the storage space, and a retainer located in the chamber of the storage space, and resiliently and normally pressing the arrows in the storage space, multiple springs each having a first end connected to the retainer, a second end of each spring connected to an inner bottom of the storage space, when the retainer is pulled to extend the multiple springs, the retainer is lifted beyond the storage and the arrows are loaded into the storage space, when the retainer is released, the retainer resiliently presses the arrows in the storage space.
 9. The arrow feeding device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the retainer includes a top board and a protrusion extending from an underside of the top board, two recessed areas are formed between the underside of the top board and the protrusion, the springs are respectively located in the two recessed areas, each spring is connected between the underside of the top board and an inner bottom of the storage space. 